Diary: Eric Hobsbawm's final history lesson – you're only as old as you feel

Eric Hobsbawm. 'The master historian died last October at the age of 95.' Photograph: Karen Robinson

• A fine occasion commemorating Eric Hobsbawm at Senate House in London: the master historian died last October at the age of 95. Simon Schama gave a moving tribute, as did Claire Tomalin. Also there, Charles Clarke, Patricia Hewitt, Lord Birt and Michael Frayn. But the most notable tribute came from Giorgio Napolitano, who took time off from solving Italy's political crisis – specifically, creating his new government – to pay video tribute to Hobsbawm, describing him as an example to follow. And he meant it. Napolitano was recently re-elected president of Italy at the age of 87, for a seven-year term.

• As cold winds blow, some continue to suggest that the only staffer with security of tenure in the Catholic church is the pope. Recently we reported on the cull of justice and peace workers. Now another worker in the social justice sector may have fallen foul of higher powers. Last May, Patricia Chale was appointed the first director of Caritas in Westminster. Seven months later, Chale, with years of experience as an international management consultant in the UK and across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, became director of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund. But now she's off. "Patricia Chale's employment with Sciaf will end on 2 May," said the fund, without further explanation. "The board will consider appointing a new chief officer in due course. For the time being Sciaf will be led by the members of the senior management team working together." Perhaps she jumped. Maybe she was pushed. But it's all a bit abrupt and tense.

• Events have also moved alarmingly quickly in north London, where Britain's first atheist church has been asked to leave the Anglican building it occupied for its ground-breaking services. It now appeals to others of faith to help with alternative premises. But the space would need to be ample, for the Sunday Assembly's meetings since January have attracted up to 500 people. Services have been run in shifts. It's about excessive numbers: heath and safety, says St Paul's Steiner School, guardians of the St Paul's nave. No it's not, says atheist "pastor" Sanderson Jones. It's about "moralising" Christians. "The Sunday Assembly has its first martyr," says Jones. And yet the church will go on, it's meeting next month at Conway Hall, central London. Did the singing of Run Rabbit Run at Easter make things worse? Probably, Jones says.

• Meanwhile, in the wake of possibly the most scandalous tale of the year: the revelation British businessman Jim McCormick sold fake bomb detectors to war-torn countries; a salutary note from reader Cliff Lenton of Somerset. "Sighted at the entrance of Dunes shopping mall in Abuja, Nigeria, last week: a McCormick fake bomb detector held together with Sellotape." At least the Sellotape was genuine.

• Finally, we know what the current crop of Tory leaders are like. Yesterday, as Boris Johnson's brother Jo took the reins at the No 10 policy unit, we were reminded that Big Dave, his chief of staff, the chancellor's chief economic adviser, and now the head of the policy unit, attended the same school. They were all in it together, so to speak. But what to say about the Tories of yesteryear? Blogger Aidan Byrne directs us to one historical document too often overlooked, the True Blue Cookery Book, compiled by party officials in the 70s. They were, we find, a solid, if slightly unadventurous band of folk. Asked to contribute a recipe, the family suggestion from Tim, now Baron, Renton, was carrots. "Grate them, boil for a very short time with a little salt, drain them and dot with butter and they are delicious." From Christopher, now Baron, Tugendhat, the fare was cold curried consommé starter, a dish derived from tinned beef soup and Philadelphia cheese. The late Baroness Thatcher, then leader of the opposition, sent a recipe for fish pie. And Ted Heath sent onion nut souffle, though he was too grand to submit it himself. It was handed in by his housekeeper. Few pushed the envelope, as it were, but Sir John Stanley showed what can indeed be done with fish, cream and citrus fruits. "Esoteric Kippers". Mmmm.